The head of Afghanistan's National Security Council will soon make an official visit to Pakistan.

A statement from President Hamid Karzai's office on June 21 said Rangin Dadfar Spanta "will meet with the chief of Pakistan's National Security Council and discuss antiterrorism efforts in the region."

No further details were provided.

Muhammad Amin Waqad, a member of the Afghan High Peace Council, told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan that a meeting between high-profile Afghan and Pakistani security officials could push forward peace efforts in the region.

Waqad also said that the talks were expected to focus on how to protect civilians in areas on both sides of the border amid an ongoing Pakistani offensive against the Taliban in the North Waziristan tribal district.

Thousands of people have fled into Afghanistan to escape violence in North Waziristan, with numbers increasing especially since the offensive was launched on June 15.